New Delhi: Morocco, who made their debut in Women’s World Cup, beat Colombia 1-0 in their final group match in Perth to advance to the last 16, alongside their opponents. The 72nd-ranked Moroccan scored from Anissa Rahmari’s rebound after saving a penalty late in the first half, but Group H’s South Korea edged two-time champions Germany to a 1-1 draw.
Morocco’s group stage report
As a result, the right to participate was confirmed. Colombia defeated second-placed Morocco on goal difference to top the group with six points, while Germany and South Korea were eliminated. Morocco lost 6-0 to Germany in their opening match and beat South Korea 1-0, but they face France in Adelaide on Tuesday and Colombia face Jamaica in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Morocco-W, take a bow!#FIFAWWC #BeyondGreatness #StreamingLiveOnFanCode pic.twitter.com/zlhNQE2WkR
— FanCode (@FanCode) August 3, 2023
Morocco vs Colombia match highlights
Both teams created chances in the first half, but it wasn’t until the break, when Colombia’s Daniela Arias clumsily fouled forward Ibtissam Jraïd in the penalty area, that Morocco had a real chance to score. Las Cafeteras goalkeeper Catalina Pérez dived to her left to stop Ghizlane Chebbak’s spot kick, but midfielder Lahmari poked the ball into the net for the resulting goal.
Game changers.
History makers. pic.twitter.com/vcXg5MVWqb— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 3, 2023
Colombia fight back
Colombia dominated the game in search of an equalizer after the break when Daniela Montoya and Lorena Bedoya struck for Durango in the 59th minute. Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi was in trouble again in the 72nd minute when she tipped teenage striker Linda Caicedo’s shot over the bar.
A frantic finish sparked full action but Morocco held on before players and coaches gathered on the pitch to watch the end of Germany’s game in Brisbane, which still had a chance to influence its World Cup fate.
The moment dreams became reality. 🥹@EnMaroc | #FIFAWWC
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 3, 2023
“We got the phone and started praying. We prayed while watching the game,” Lahmari said
“After that, it was just an explosion of joy,” she added.
